Dynamically varied map labeling

ABSTRACT

Methods for dynamically varying label density and label placement on a map display used in mapping and/or navigation solutions. Label density and label placement on a map display are adjusted dynamically based on: a function class of a road being navigated, a function class of a road to be navigated following an upcoming maneuver, a distance to an upcoming maneuver, and/or a speed a device receiving mapping/navigation services is travelling.

This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 8,930,139, filed onJun. 6, 2013, entitled “Dynamically Varied Map Labeling”; which claimspriority from U.S. Provisional No. 61/662,582, filed Jun. 21, 2012,entitled “Dynamically Varied Map Labeling”, the entirety of both ofwhich are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to mapping and navigation, and inparticular to location based services (LBS).

2. Background of the Related Art

Conventional navigation solutions obtain a geographic location of aclient/user device (e.g. a vehicle, a mobile phone, etc.) and provideroute instructions and navigation services (e.g. route calculation,point of interest (POI) lookup, etc.) accordingly. Route instructionsprovided by a navigation solution indicate a set of maneuvers to beperformed at specified locations. A maneuver describes an action that isrequired to leave one street segment and enter a next street segmentalong a navigated route.

Conventional navigation solutions exhibit an electronic map displaywhile providing navigation services, to enable users to orientthemselves in the real world.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative example of a conventional electronic mapdisplay.

As depicted in FIG. 3, an electronic map display 300 typically depicts ageographic location of a device 310 and a direction of travel.

Current solutions for providing a map display 300 are not optimal,because they either label roads in a haphazard manner or restrict theroads for which road labels 312 a-312 e may be shown on a map display300, to roads that intersect a current route 314. Current solutions alsooften limit the number of road labels 312 a-312 e that may be shown on amap display 300 based on map zoom level.

In particular, each zoom level on a conventional map display is assigneda static label density, indicating a maximum number of road labelsallowed on the map display at that zoom level. A conventional mapdisplay always contains a number of road labels that is less than orequal to a static label density (i.e. a maximum number of road labels)assigned to a current zoom level.

Some existing navigation solutions adjust map zoom level dynamically, inaccordance with a speed a device receiving navigation services istravelling. In this case, the number of road labels presented on a mapdisplay increases or decreases as is required to adhere to a staticlabel density defined at each zoom level.

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict an illustrative example of road labels on a mapdisplay at different zoom levels.

As depicted in FIG. 4A, a map display with a high zoom level 400 istypically limited to fewer road labels than is a map display with a lowzoom level 420, shown in FIG. 4B.

For example, a map display with a low zoom level 420, e.g. zoom level 0,may be limited to ≦12 road labels 410 a-410 i (FIG. 4B), whereas a mapdisplay with a high zoom level 400, e.g. zoom level 10, may be limitedto ≦3 road labels 430 a, 430 b (FIG. 4A).

A static label density may cause a map display to look cluttered, or mayinfluence a navigation solution to exhibit only minimal information on amap display, in attempts to avoid clutter. Due to use of a static labeldensity, conventional navigation solutions are forced to present eitheran uncluttered map display with little information (e.g. road names,city names, etc.) or a cluttered map display with more information.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides methods for dynamically varying the labeldensity (i.e. number of labels) and placement of labels on a map displayused in mapping and/or navigation solutions. In accordance with theprinciples of the present invention, label density and label placementon a map display is adjusted dynamically based on: a function class of aroad being navigated, a function class of a road to be navigatedfollowing an upcoming maneuver, a distance to an upcoming maneuver,and/or a speed a device receiving mapping/navigation services istravelling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the present invention become apparent tothose skilled in the art from the following description with referenceto the drawings:

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative example of a map display that displaysroad labels based on a function class of a road being navigated, inaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative example of a map display that displaysroad labels based on a function class of a road being navigated and afunction class of a road to be navigated following an upcoming maneuver,in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative example of a conventional electronic mapdisplay.

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict an illustrative example of road labels presentedon a map display at different zoom levels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention dynamically varies the label density (i.e. thenumber of labels) and placement of labels on a map display used inmapping and/or navigation solutions, to better respond to a user'sneeds.

The present inventor has appreciated that current solutions forproviding a map display used in mapping and/or navigation solutions,lack flexibility. In particular, current solutions restrict the roadsfor which road labels may be shown on a map display, to roads thatintersect a navigated route (i.e. a route being currently navigated).Moreover, current mapping and navigation solutions select a static roadlabel density (i.e. a fixed maximum number of road labels) for a mapdisplay based on map zoom level. Therefore, only a predetermined numberof road labels affiliated with a current zoom level may be presented ona map display at any given time. Such a limitation forces navigationsolutions to display either an uncluttered map display with littleinformation, or a cluttered map display with more information.

The present invention dynamically varies the density and placement ofroad labels on a map display based on: a function class of a road beingnavigated, a function class of a road to be navigated following anupcoming maneuver (i.e. an action required to leave one street segmentand enter a next street segment along a navigated route), a distance toan upcoming maneuver, and/or a speed a device receiving navigationservices is travelling.

Some navigable map database suppliers (e.g. NAVTEQ) categorize roadwaysinto function classes based on road function. For instance, roadwayscategorized as function class 1 roads typically includecontrolled-access highways connecting major cities. Roadways typicallyclassified as function class 2 roads include highways that connect majorcities to smaller cities, at a mobility level that is lower than that offunction class 1 roads. Function class 3 roads typically includearterial roads, which provide major routes between minor cities andtowns. Roadways typically classified as function class 4 roads includelocal collector roads that collect traffic from local roads anddistribute traffic to arterial roads. Moreover, roadways typicallyclassified as function class 5 roads include local roads with low speedand low traffic volume.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a firstmethod for dynamically varying the density and placement of road labelson a map display includes displaying road labels for only those roadsthat are of a same function class or of a more significant functionclass as a road that is currently being navigated.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative example of a map display that displaysroad labels based on a function class of a road being navigated, inaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

For example, as depicted in FIG. 1, when a device 110 is travelling onan arterial road 120 a (a function class 3 road 120 a-120 c), roadlabels are presented on a map display 100 for arterial roads (functionclass 3 roads 120 a-120 c) and highways (function class 1 130 andfunction class 2 roads 140), and road labels are not presented on themap display 100 for local collector roads and local roads (functionclass 4 150 and function class 5 roads 160). In another method fordynamically varying the density and placement of road labels on a mapdisplay, road labels are displayed for only those roads that are of asame function class or of a more significant function class as both aroad being currently navigated and a road that is to be navigatedfollowing an upcoming maneuver.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative example of a map display that displaysroad labels based on a function class of a road being navigated and afunction class of a road to be navigated following an upcoming maneuver,in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

As depicted in FIG. 2, when a device 110 is travelling on an arterialroad 120 a (a function class 3 road 120 a-120 c), and following anupcoming maneuver the device 110 is to be travelling on a localcollector road (a function class 4 road 150), then road labels are shownon a map display 200 for highways (function class 1 130 and functionclass 2 roads 140), arterial roads (function class 3 roads 120 a-120 c)and local collector roads (function class 4 roads 150), and road labelsare not shown on the map display 200 for local roads (function class 5roads 160).

In another method for dynamically varying the density and placement ofroad labels on a map display, a map display exhibits road labels foronly a predetermined number of roads preceding an upcoming maneuver,that are of a same function class or of a more significant functionclass as a road being currently navigated and/or a road to be navigatedfollowing an upcoming maneuver.

Moreover, in yet another method, a map display includes road labels foronly those roads that are within a predetermined distance threshold ofan upcoming maneuver, and of a same function class or of a moresignificant function class as a road being currently navigated and/or aroad to be navigated following an upcoming maneuver.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, anothermethod for dynamically varying road label density and placement of roadlabels on a map display comprises only displaying road labels for roadsthat are intersecting a current route. This is a conventional method fordisplaying road labels on a map display (as shown in FIG. 1).

Another method for dynamically varying road label density and road labelplacement on a map display includes only exhibiting road labels forroads intersecting a current route that are also of a same functionclass or of a more significant function class as a road being currentlynavigated.

Moreover, in yet another method for dynamically varying the density andplacement of road labels on a map display, a map display only exhibitsroad labels for roads intersecting a current route, that are also of asame function class or of a more significant function class as both aroad being currently navigated and a road that is to be navigatedfollowing an upcoming maneuver.

In another method for dynamically varying the density and placement ofroad labels on a map display, a map display only exhibits road labelsfor a predetermined number of roads preceding an upcoming maneuver, thatare both intersecting a current route, and of a same function class orof a more significant function class as a road being currently navigatedand/or a road that is to be navigated following an upcoming maneuver.

Moreover, another method for dynamically varying road label density andplacement of road labels on a map display, includes only exhibiting roadlabels for roads intersecting a current route, that are within apredetermined distance threshold of an upcoming maneuver, and also of asame function class or of a more significant function class as a roadbeing currently navigated and/or a road to be navigated following anupcoming maneuver.

In yet another method, a map display varies the function class of roadsfor which road labels are exhibited on a map display based on a currentspeed of a device receiving navigation services. For example, when adevice receiving navigation services exceeds a predetermined speed oftravel, road labels for function class 4 and 5 roads are removed from amap display. Likewise, road labels for function class 4 and 5 roads areagain added to the map display when the device falls back below thepredetermined speed of travel.

The present invention has particular applicability to navigation andmapping solutions and products. Function classes described herein areexemplary. The present invention may be applied to any form ofhierarchical road classification system.

While the invention has been described with reference to the exemplaryembodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will be able to makevarious modifications to the described embodiments of the inventionwithout departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for dynamically varying a density ofroad labels displayed on a given displayed navigational map having agiven density of displayed features, comprising: dynamically varying adensity of road labels displayed on a user device as a navigational map,said displayed road labels being varied in density for display based on:a function class of a first road being navigated by said user device,and a function class of a next road to be navigated along a navigatedroute following an upcoming maneuver.
 2. The method for dynamicallyvarying a density of labels displayed on a given displayed navigationalmap having a given density of displayed features according to claim 1,wherein said displayed road labels are varied in density for displayfurther based on: a distance to said upcoming maneuver.
 3. The methodfor dynamically varying a density of labels displayed on a givendisplayed navigational map having a given density of displayed featuresaccording to claim 1, wherein said displayed road labels are varied indensity for display further based on: a speed said user device istravelling.
 4. The method for dynamically varying a density of labelsdisplayed on a given displayed navigational map having a given densityof displayed features according to claim 1, wherein said displayed roadlabels are varied in density for display further based on: a distance tosaid upcoming maneuver; and a speed said user device is travelling. 5.The method for dynamically varying a density of labels displayed on agiven displayed navigational map having a given density of displayedfeatures according to claim 1, wherein: said upcoming maneuver is anaction for said user device to leave said first road and enter said nextroad along said navigated route.
 6. The method for dynamically varying adensity of labels displayed on a given displayed navigational map havinga given density of displayed features according to claim 1, wherein:said road labels are displayed on said navigational map for only apredetermined number of roads preceding said upcoming maneuver.
 7. Themethod for dynamically varying a density of labels displayed on a givendisplayed navigational map having a given density of displayed featuresaccording to claim 1, wherein: said road labels are displayed on saidnavigational map only for roads located within a predetermined distanceof said upcoming maneuver.
 8. The method for dynamically varying adensity of labels displayed on a given displayed navigational map havinga given density of displayed features according to claim 1, wherein:said user device is a vehicle navigation system.
 9. The method fordynamically varying a density of labels displayed on a given displayednavigational map having a given density of displayed features accordingto claim 1, wherein: said user device is a mobile phone.
 10. A methodfor dynamically varying a density of road labels displayed on a givendisplayed navigational map having a given density of displayed features,comprising: dynamically varying a density of road labels displayed on auser device navigational map, with respect to a displayed density ofsaid navigational map, said displayed road labels being varied indensity for display based on: a function class of a first road beingnavigated by said user device, and a distance to an upcoming maneuver.11. The method for dynamically varying a density of labels displayed ona given displayed navigational map having a given density of displayedfeatures according to claim 10, wherein said displayed road labels arevaried in density for display further based on: a speed said user deviceis travelling.
 12. The method for dynamically varying a density oflabels displayed on a given displayed navigational map having a givendensity of displayed features according to claim 10, wherein: saidupcoming maneuver is an action for said user device to leave said firstroad and enter said next road along said navigated route.
 13. The methodfor dynamically varying a density of labels displayed on a givendisplayed navigational map having a given density of displayed featuresaccording to claim 10, wherein: said road labels are displayed on saidnavigational map for only a predetermined number of roads preceding saidupcoming maneuver.
 14. The method for dynamically varying a density oflabels displayed on a given displayed navigational map having a givendensity of displayed features according to claim 10, wherein: said roadlabels are displayed on said navigational map only for roads locatedwithin a predetermined distance of said upcoming maneuver.
 15. Themethod for dynamically varying a density of labels displayed on a givendisplayed navigational map having a given density of displayed featuresaccording to claim 10, wherein: said user device is a vehicle navigationsystem.
 16. The method for dynamically varying a density of labelsdisplayed on a given displayed navigational map having a given densityof displayed features according to claim 10, wherein: said user deviceis a mobile phone.
 17. A method for dynamically varying a density ofroad labels displayed on a given displayed navigational map having agiven density of displayed features, comprising: dynamically varying adensity of road labels displayed on a user device navigational map, withrespect to a displayed density of said navigational map, said displayedroad labels being varied in density for display based on: a functionclass of a first road being navigated by said user device, and a speedsaid user device is traveling.
 18. The method for dynamically varying adensity of labels displayed on a given displayed navigational map havinga given density of displayed features according to claim 17, wherein:said user device is a vehicle navigation system.
 19. The method fordynamically varying a density of labels displayed on a given displayednavigational map having a given density of displayed features accordingto claim 17, wherein: said user device is a mobile phone.